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Report: West Ham make approach for London rivals ace, decision in next 48 hours

27th August, 2016, 10:27 AM

By Tom Blackburn

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers will make a decision on his future in the next 48 hours, according to a report.

The Mirror claim there has been interest from Hull and Middlesbrough in the defender, while West Ham have also made an enquiry.

The report says he will leave the Gunners on a one-year loan and there has also been interest from European clubs Espanyol, Valencia and Roma.

West Ham are searching for backup in the right-back position, but it is said that Arsenal want Chambers to be regularly playing at centre-half.

The Hammers currently have Sam Byram as their main option on the right side of defence and have had to resort playing attacking midfielder Michail Antonio in the role on a number of occasions.

The Mail claimed on Wednesday that Chambers would be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis, but will not be sold in a permanent deal.

It is said that manager Arsene Wenger has decided the England international needs regular game time and the best solution is a new club for the 2016-17 season.

This news comes despite Arsenal suffering key injuries to two senior centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. Wenger has also struggled to find top-quality replacements in this transfer window.

Chambers started the first game of the season against Liverpool and scored in the 4-3 victory, but was exposed by the visitors either side of half-time.

Wenger preferred summer signing Rob Holding alongside Laurent Koscielny in the heart of his defence in last weekend’s goal-less draw against Leicester.

BBC Sport correspondent David Ornstein claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday that Arsenal are close to signing Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi in a deal that will cost over £35million.

Arsenal close to agreeing deal to sign Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi. #AFC will pay fee in excess of £35m for Germany international